What It's Like to Play Royal Troon Golf Club

The 152nd Open will be staged at the majestic Royal Troon Golf Club in Ayrshire, which in essence brings the game's oldest championship back home to its roots on Scotland's West Coast.

2024 will represent the tenth occasion that the Claret Jug has been competed for at Troon's Old Course, with the first edition here coming just over a century ago in 1923. Since then, the likes of Bobby Locke, Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson, Mark Calcavecchia and Henrik Stenson have been crowned Champion Golfer of the Year at this venue.

It's a storied history and the tradition here is rich, but what is it like to play?

Several years ago, Golfshake's Equipment Expert, Ryan Rastall took on the Old Course at Royal Troon, including the famous short par three 8th, the Postage Stamp.

In a video review that you can watch at the bottom of this page or directly on YouTube, Ryan takes you through the course and describes the experience of playing such a challenging layout that boasts a significant legacy in the sport.

But first, let's take a closer look at the place itself.

Key Holes

Ahead of The 152nd Open, Golfshake's Derek Clements has picked out some of the key holes at Troon that you need to keep an eye on as the championship unfolds.

(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)

8th, Par 3, 123 Yards

Originally known as "Ailsa" thanks to its inspiring view of the same rocky craig of Turnberry fame, it was Willie Park, Jr. who described it as "a pitching surface scaled down to the size of a postage stamp." 

At just 123 yards, it is the shortest hole in The Open rota, but has been the scene of many disasters over the years. Miss the green and you are almost certainly dropping at least one shot.

11th, Par 4, 498 Yards

The 11th or Railway as it is known, consistently plays as the toughest hole when The Open comes to Royal Troon, and is one of the hardest in all of major championship golf. As the name suggests, this par four is bordered on its right side by the Glasgow-Ayr railway. Down the left is a layer of impenetrable gorse. Throw in the prevailing wind - which is naturally into the player’s face - and anything less than bogey or better feels like winning the Claret Jug.

16th, Par 5, 572 Yards

The first par five since the sixth. This is a relatively straightforward hole where we could see somebody making a crucial eagle. But a burn cuts through the centre of the fairway and is definitely within range from the tee although we will probably see Bryson DeChambeau carrying it. A cross bunker lies in wait for the second, so many players will be left with a wedge to a well-bunkered putting surface.

17th, Par 3, 242 Yards

A brutal par three that will see some drama throughout the week and could be the make-or-break hole in the final round. If it is being played into the wind we may well see many of the field having to reach for driver. There are three cross bunkers and a pot bunker that has to be avoided at all costs. A par here is like a birdie.

18th, Par 4, 458 Yards

A great finishing hole. Three bunkers at 25-yard intervals lie in wait down the left while a further bunker on the right awaits the big hitters. From the centre of the fairway a mid iron approach needs to avoid bunkers left and right of the green. And go too far and out of bounds lurks.

Golfshake Review Comments

Don't just take Ryan's word for how good Royal Troon is. Here are review comments that have been submitted on Golfshake by everyday golfers who have been fortunate enough to play this wonderful layout.

"Just a supreme day on a fantastic course. A day to be bettered? It'll be hard."

"Amazing course in an great location with endless views and love walking in the footsteps of all the tradition here. The course was in great condition when we played, the fairways were cut tight, with a long first cut and unforgiving gorse, the greens were firm but fair. They allowed some shots to hold the green and played well. This course has an amazing amount of bunkers and undulating fairways. The staff at the course was very friendly and accommodating to every need."

"As ever, a tough course and deep bunkers which are hard to recover from. Great experience to play the course just weeks ahead of the Open Championship."

Royal Troon Golf Course Video Review

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